09-10-2010, 01:31 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-10-2010, 01:31 PM by Narendro Anindito.)
General Electric Evolution Series
The Evolution Series is a line of diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation Systems, designed to meet the U.S. EPA's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. The first pre-production units were built in 2003. Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with either AC or DC traction motors, depending on the customer's preference. All are powered by the GE GEVO engine.
Models
Currently, four different Evolution Series models have been produced for the North American market. They are all six axle locomotives and have the wheel arrangement C-C (AAR classification) or Co'Co' (UIC classification), except for the ES44C4 which has an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement.
ES40DC
The ES40DC (Evolution Series, 4000 HP, DC traction) replaces the Dash 9-40CW model in GE's range and, like the former model, has been delivered exclusively to Norfolk Southern Railway. ES44DCs owned by CSX Transportation have also been given this designation after being de-rated to 4,000hp
ES44DC
The ES44DC (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, DC traction) replaces the Dash 9-44CW model in GE's range. Primary users are BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, and Canadian National Railway. Pilbara Iron in Australia ordered a lengthened, international version designated ES44DCi. The extra length is used for a larger radiator to increase cooling capacity in the Australian outback.
ES44AC
The ES44AC (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, AC traction) replaces the AC4400CW model in GE's range. These locomotives have been ordered by Union Pacific Railroad (who refers to these locomotives as the C45ACCTE), BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, Ferromex, and Canadian Pacific Railway. Iowa Interstate Railroad ordered 12 ES44ACs in April 2008 to be delivered by October 2008 to handle an expected traffic growth of 25%-30%, resulting from new ethanol plants coming on line. Iowa Interstate ordered two additional ES44ACs to be delivered in December of 2009.
CSX began receiving an order of 200 ES44ACs (referred to by CSX as the ES44AH) in December 2007. The "H" in ES44AH stands for the heavier-than-standard configuration with "high tractive effort" software. The software is very similar to that used on Union Pacific units. Additionally, these units will be equipped with software to operate in DPU or "Distributed Power Unit Mode" as remote control helpers.
In September 2008, Norfolk Southern purchased 24 ES44ACs numbered 8000-8023, and began receiving the first of these units in October 2008. They are the first new AC locomotives ever purchased by NS. These new locomotives will be used for pusher service in long haul coal trains.
KCS's units are all painted in a Southern Belle paint scheme. The KCS units are being painted in Erie by GE, while some of KCSM's units have been delivered in primer to speed up delivery time.
Cemex took delivery of one ES44AC, number 81, in March 2008.
ES44C4
The ES44C4 (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, AC traction, 4 traction motors) is the newest model in the series. It is similar to the ES44AC, except that it has four traction motors instead of six. The center axle of each truck is unpowered, giving an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. BNSF is the launch customer for this model, ordering 25 units numbered 6600-6624.
A unique feature of these units is that there is a variable traction control system in their computer systems. One of the differences between an ES44AC and an ES44C4 are the air cylinders and linkages on the truck sideframes of the ES44C4; these are part of the traction control system. Every time a variable in grade, traction, or wheel slip occurs, the computer will adjust the pressure in these cylinders to maintain sufficient adhesion, by varying the weight on the drive axles.
Identifying features
The Evolution Series locomotives are visually similar to the Dash 9 and AC4400CW, although small differences are evident. The most significant differences are in the radiator section at the rear of the locomotive; the "wings" at the end of the carbody are larger, as is the entire radiator of the locomotive. As with the AC6000CW the radiators project beyond the end of the hood, and unlike any previous GE locomotive the grills under the radiator are at two different angles. The increase in radiator size is due to the necessity of greater cooling capacity in the locomotive in order to reduce emissions. The other major difference between the Evolution Series locomotives and older models are the vents below the radiators, which are larger than those on previous GE locomotives.
Electro-Motive Division SD70 series
The EMD SD70 is a series of diesel-electric locomotives produced by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors beginning in 1992. Over 4000 locomotives in this series have been produced, mostly of the SD70M and SD70MAC models. All locomotives of this series are hood units with C-C trucks. All SD70 models up to the SD70ACe and SD70M-2 have the HTCR Radial truck, rather than the HT-C truck; the self-steering radial truck was designed to allow the axles to steer in curves, reducing wear on the wheels and railhead. With the introduction of the SD70ACe and SD70M-2, in an effort to reduce cost EMD introduced a new bolsterless non-radial HTSC truck as the standard truck for these models. The radial truck, now the HTCR-4, is still an option.
Models
SD70
The SD70 uses the smaller standard cab or spartan cab, common on older locomotives, instead of the larger new comfort cab. This model also has DC traction motors, which simplifies the electrical system by cutting out the need for computer-controlled inverters. One hundred twenty examples of this model locomotive were produced, for Norfolk Southern Railway, Conrail, Illinois Central and Southern Peru Copper. (Conrail was partly absorbed by Norfolk Southern Railway in 1999, and all 24 of Conrail's SD70 engines went to NS. These SD70s were ordered to NS specifications, as NS and CSXT modified CRs SD80MAC order for SD70s for NS and SD70MACs for CSX)
Production of the standard cab at London ended in 1994. The 24 Conrail SD70s were assembled from kits at Juniata, and the IC and SPC SD70s were assembled from kits at Super Steel Schenectady. Nearly all SD70s are still in service with Norfolk Southern Railway and Canadian National, which merged with the Illinois Central in 1999.
SD70M
The SD70M has a wide nose and a large comfort cab (officially known as the "North American Safety Cab"), allowing crew members to ride more comfortably inside of the locomotive than the older standard cab designs. There are two versions of this cab on SD70Ms, the Phase I, which was introduced on the SD60M, and is home on the SD80MAC and SD90MACs and the Phase II, which made a return to a more boxy design a la the original 3 window SD60M cabs. Though the Phase II cab has a two piece window matching the Phase I cab windows, the lines of the nose are boxy, with a taller square midsection for more headroom. The SD70ACe/SD70M-2 line has what is considered the Phase II cab, but it is actually more so a Phase III cab, as the windows went from the teardrop design to a rectangular window. Like the SD70, the SD70M also uses DC traction motors. Starting in mid-2000, the SD70M was produced with SD45-style flared radiators allowing for the larger radiator cores needed for split-cooling (split-cooling is a feature that separates the coolant circuit for the prime mover and the circuit for the air pumps and turbocharger). There are two versions of this radiator, the older version with two (2) large radiator panels per side, and the newer style with four (4) square panels per side. This was due to the enactment of the EPA's Tier I environmental regulations. Production of the SD70M was replaced by the SD70M-2 in late 2004, as the EPA's Tier II regulations went into effect on January 1, 2005. 1,646 examples of this model locomotive were produced. SD70M models were produced with 4000 horsepower (2,980 kW) EMD Model 710 prime movers. Purchasers included CSX, New York Susquehanna & Western (part of EMDX order #946531), Norfolk Southern and Southern Pacific (now part of UP), but the vast majority were purchased by Union Pacific.
This locomotive model is also built for export, and is still catalogued by EMD (at 4300 hp). CVG Ferrominera Orinoco has 6 SD70Ms that were built as an add-on order to UPs FIRE cab equipped SD70Ms. Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) in Brazil has ordered 27 of this model for service in Carajas pulling trainloads of iron ore. Since CVRD track is gauged at 1600 mm, a wider bogie, the HTSC2, was designed for these units by EMD.
SD70MAC
The SD70MAC (colloquially known as a "Mac" or a "Mac 70") is very similar to the SD70M and SD70I (the SD70I's WhisperCab feature was a build-to-order option), the main difference being that the SD70MAC uses AC traction motors. AC motors, while simpler and more reliable than DC motors, require expensive inverters to generate a variable-frequency AC signal, raising the locomotive's purchase cost substantially. The majority of SD70MAC models were produced with 4000 horsepower (2,980 kW) EMD Model 710 prime movers, while later-production SD70MACs are rated at 4300 horsepower (3,210 kW) and feature SD45-style flared radiators. They were also offered with a head-end power generation system for passenger trains. (The SD70MAC is no longer produced due to EPA regulations and has been replaced by the SD70ACe.) Over 1500 examples of this locomotive model were produced. Purchasers include Burlington Northern (now BNSF Railway), Conrail (engines now owned by CSX Transportation), CSX, TFM/Kansas City Southern Railway and the Alaska Railroad.
SD70ACe
The SD70ACe is similar to the SD70MAC; however, it has been updated to meet the latest EPA regulations for road locomotives. Several other changes were included as well. The radiator on the locomotive is nearly as wide as the cab, and looks similar to the radiator on the SD80 and SD90 series of locomotives. The nose has been modified, producing a much more angular nose than previous models. The cables and brake lines have been routed beneath the walkways, allowing for easy access by maintenance workers. SD70ACe models are rated at 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW). As of 2005, 191 examples of this model locomotive have been produced. Purchasers include BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, Ferromex, Kansas City Southern Railway, Montana RailLink, CVG Ferrominera Orinoco , Union Pacific Railroad and Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway.
SD70ACe/lc
SD70ACe/lc is a low clearance, export version of the SD70ACe.
In 2004, BHP Billiton of Australia ordered 14 SD70ACe/lc locomotives for use in iron ore hauling; the "lc" in the model designation stands for "low clearance" as these locomotives are designed to negotiate the tight clearances under the mine equipment.
Certain external differences between the SD70ACe and SD70ACe/lc models include the addition of marker lights, number boxes lower in the body rather on top of the cab, windscreen protector panels (to deflect abrasive iron ore when in mid train position), fire suppression canisters, louvre style vents, different horn and subtle differences with handrails.
Of the first batch of SD70ACe/lc (Numbers 4300-4313), 4301-4313 are named after sidings on the BHP system. 4300 is used for spare parts and has never seen service. The second batch of locomotives (Numbers 4313-4323), have a newly designed isolated cab. An order for a third batch of 13 SD70ACe/lcs (Numbers 4334-4346) was placed with EMD in August 2007. But such was the demand for locomotive power in the Pilbara region, ten SD70ACe destined for BNSF were purchased before this third batch was constructed, becoming numbers 4324-4333. These ten ex-BNSF locos (ex-9166, 9167, 9184-9191) are in the BNSF Orange with white BHP Billiton lettering and are standard North American SD70ACe units. Some modifications have been made to bring them inline with the rest of the fleet. A fifth batch of SD70ACe/lc (Numbers 4347-4355) was recently delivered to BHP Billiton in July 2009, bringing the total of SD70ACe type locomotives to 55 + 1 for spare parts.
An Additional 18 units are expected to be delivered in the 2nd half of 2010.
SD70M-2
The SD70M-2 is a DC traction version of the SD70ACe, and the two models are nearly identical in every other respect. SD70M-2 models are rated at 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW) each. As of 2007, 284 examples of this model locomotive have been produced. Examples are owned by Norfolk Southern Railway, CIT Financial, Canadian National and eight units for the Florida East Coast Railway.
Like the SD70ACe, all SD70M-2s are equipped with the Airchime model K5LLA air horn and an electronic bell.
The Evolution Series is a line of diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation Systems, designed to meet the U.S. EPA's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. The first pre-production units were built in 2003. Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with either AC or DC traction motors, depending on the customer's preference. All are powered by the GE GEVO engine.
Models
Currently, four different Evolution Series models have been produced for the North American market. They are all six axle locomotives and have the wheel arrangement C-C (AAR classification) or Co'Co' (UIC classification), except for the ES44C4 which has an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement.
ES40DC
The ES40DC (Evolution Series, 4000 HP, DC traction) replaces the Dash 9-40CW model in GE's range and, like the former model, has been delivered exclusively to Norfolk Southern Railway. ES44DCs owned by CSX Transportation have also been given this designation after being de-rated to 4,000hp
ES44DC
The ES44DC (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, DC traction) replaces the Dash 9-44CW model in GE's range. Primary users are BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, and Canadian National Railway. Pilbara Iron in Australia ordered a lengthened, international version designated ES44DCi. The extra length is used for a larger radiator to increase cooling capacity in the Australian outback.
ES44AC
The ES44AC (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, AC traction) replaces the AC4400CW model in GE's range. These locomotives have been ordered by Union Pacific Railroad (who refers to these locomotives as the C45ACCTE), BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, Ferromex, and Canadian Pacific Railway. Iowa Interstate Railroad ordered 12 ES44ACs in April 2008 to be delivered by October 2008 to handle an expected traffic growth of 25%-30%, resulting from new ethanol plants coming on line. Iowa Interstate ordered two additional ES44ACs to be delivered in December of 2009.
CSX began receiving an order of 200 ES44ACs (referred to by CSX as the ES44AH) in December 2007. The "H" in ES44AH stands for the heavier-than-standard configuration with "high tractive effort" software. The software is very similar to that used on Union Pacific units. Additionally, these units will be equipped with software to operate in DPU or "Distributed Power Unit Mode" as remote control helpers.
In September 2008, Norfolk Southern purchased 24 ES44ACs numbered 8000-8023, and began receiving the first of these units in October 2008. They are the first new AC locomotives ever purchased by NS. These new locomotives will be used for pusher service in long haul coal trains.
KCS's units are all painted in a Southern Belle paint scheme. The KCS units are being painted in Erie by GE, while some of KCSM's units have been delivered in primer to speed up delivery time.
Cemex took delivery of one ES44AC, number 81, in March 2008.
ES44C4
The ES44C4 (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, AC traction, 4 traction motors) is the newest model in the series. It is similar to the ES44AC, except that it has four traction motors instead of six. The center axle of each truck is unpowered, giving an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. BNSF is the launch customer for this model, ordering 25 units numbered 6600-6624.
A unique feature of these units is that there is a variable traction control system in their computer systems. One of the differences between an ES44AC and an ES44C4 are the air cylinders and linkages on the truck sideframes of the ES44C4; these are part of the traction control system. Every time a variable in grade, traction, or wheel slip occurs, the computer will adjust the pressure in these cylinders to maintain sufficient adhesion, by varying the weight on the drive axles.
Identifying features
The Evolution Series locomotives are visually similar to the Dash 9 and AC4400CW, although small differences are evident. The most significant differences are in the radiator section at the rear of the locomotive; the "wings" at the end of the carbody are larger, as is the entire radiator of the locomotive. As with the AC6000CW the radiators project beyond the end of the hood, and unlike any previous GE locomotive the grills under the radiator are at two different angles. The increase in radiator size is due to the necessity of greater cooling capacity in the locomotive in order to reduce emissions. The other major difference between the Evolution Series locomotives and older models are the vents below the radiators, which are larger than those on previous GE locomotives.
Electro-Motive Division SD70 series
The EMD SD70 is a series of diesel-electric locomotives produced by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors beginning in 1992. Over 4000 locomotives in this series have been produced, mostly of the SD70M and SD70MAC models. All locomotives of this series are hood units with C-C trucks. All SD70 models up to the SD70ACe and SD70M-2 have the HTCR Radial truck, rather than the HT-C truck; the self-steering radial truck was designed to allow the axles to steer in curves, reducing wear on the wheels and railhead. With the introduction of the SD70ACe and SD70M-2, in an effort to reduce cost EMD introduced a new bolsterless non-radial HTSC truck as the standard truck for these models. The radial truck, now the HTCR-4, is still an option.
Models
SD70
The SD70 uses the smaller standard cab or spartan cab, common on older locomotives, instead of the larger new comfort cab. This model also has DC traction motors, which simplifies the electrical system by cutting out the need for computer-controlled inverters. One hundred twenty examples of this model locomotive were produced, for Norfolk Southern Railway, Conrail, Illinois Central and Southern Peru Copper. (Conrail was partly absorbed by Norfolk Southern Railway in 1999, and all 24 of Conrail's SD70 engines went to NS. These SD70s were ordered to NS specifications, as NS and CSXT modified CRs SD80MAC order for SD70s for NS and SD70MACs for CSX)
Production of the standard cab at London ended in 1994. The 24 Conrail SD70s were assembled from kits at Juniata, and the IC and SPC SD70s were assembled from kits at Super Steel Schenectady. Nearly all SD70s are still in service with Norfolk Southern Railway and Canadian National, which merged with the Illinois Central in 1999.
SD70M
The SD70M has a wide nose and a large comfort cab (officially known as the "North American Safety Cab"), allowing crew members to ride more comfortably inside of the locomotive than the older standard cab designs. There are two versions of this cab on SD70Ms, the Phase I, which was introduced on the SD60M, and is home on the SD80MAC and SD90MACs and the Phase II, which made a return to a more boxy design a la the original 3 window SD60M cabs. Though the Phase II cab has a two piece window matching the Phase I cab windows, the lines of the nose are boxy, with a taller square midsection for more headroom. The SD70ACe/SD70M-2 line has what is considered the Phase II cab, but it is actually more so a Phase III cab, as the windows went from the teardrop design to a rectangular window. Like the SD70, the SD70M also uses DC traction motors. Starting in mid-2000, the SD70M was produced with SD45-style flared radiators allowing for the larger radiator cores needed for split-cooling (split-cooling is a feature that separates the coolant circuit for the prime mover and the circuit for the air pumps and turbocharger). There are two versions of this radiator, the older version with two (2) large radiator panels per side, and the newer style with four (4) square panels per side. This was due to the enactment of the EPA's Tier I environmental regulations. Production of the SD70M was replaced by the SD70M-2 in late 2004, as the EPA's Tier II regulations went into effect on January 1, 2005. 1,646 examples of this model locomotive were produced. SD70M models were produced with 4000 horsepower (2,980 kW) EMD Model 710 prime movers. Purchasers included CSX, New York Susquehanna & Western (part of EMDX order #946531), Norfolk Southern and Southern Pacific (now part of UP), but the vast majority were purchased by Union Pacific.
This locomotive model is also built for export, and is still catalogued by EMD (at 4300 hp). CVG Ferrominera Orinoco has 6 SD70Ms that were built as an add-on order to UPs FIRE cab equipped SD70Ms. Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) in Brazil has ordered 27 of this model for service in Carajas pulling trainloads of iron ore. Since CVRD track is gauged at 1600 mm, a wider bogie, the HTSC2, was designed for these units by EMD.
SD70MAC
The SD70MAC (colloquially known as a "Mac" or a "Mac 70") is very similar to the SD70M and SD70I (the SD70I's WhisperCab feature was a build-to-order option), the main difference being that the SD70MAC uses AC traction motors. AC motors, while simpler and more reliable than DC motors, require expensive inverters to generate a variable-frequency AC signal, raising the locomotive's purchase cost substantially. The majority of SD70MAC models were produced with 4000 horsepower (2,980 kW) EMD Model 710 prime movers, while later-production SD70MACs are rated at 4300 horsepower (3,210 kW) and feature SD45-style flared radiators. They were also offered with a head-end power generation system for passenger trains. (The SD70MAC is no longer produced due to EPA regulations and has been replaced by the SD70ACe.) Over 1500 examples of this locomotive model were produced. Purchasers include Burlington Northern (now BNSF Railway), Conrail (engines now owned by CSX Transportation), CSX, TFM/Kansas City Southern Railway and the Alaska Railroad.
SD70ACe
The SD70ACe is similar to the SD70MAC; however, it has been updated to meet the latest EPA regulations for road locomotives. Several other changes were included as well. The radiator on the locomotive is nearly as wide as the cab, and looks similar to the radiator on the SD80 and SD90 series of locomotives. The nose has been modified, producing a much more angular nose than previous models. The cables and brake lines have been routed beneath the walkways, allowing for easy access by maintenance workers. SD70ACe models are rated at 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW). As of 2005, 191 examples of this model locomotive have been produced. Purchasers include BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, Ferromex, Kansas City Southern Railway, Montana RailLink, CVG Ferrominera Orinoco , Union Pacific Railroad and Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway.
SD70ACe/lc
SD70ACe/lc is a low clearance, export version of the SD70ACe.
In 2004, BHP Billiton of Australia ordered 14 SD70ACe/lc locomotives for use in iron ore hauling; the "lc" in the model designation stands for "low clearance" as these locomotives are designed to negotiate the tight clearances under the mine equipment.
Certain external differences between the SD70ACe and SD70ACe/lc models include the addition of marker lights, number boxes lower in the body rather on top of the cab, windscreen protector panels (to deflect abrasive iron ore when in mid train position), fire suppression canisters, louvre style vents, different horn and subtle differences with handrails.
Of the first batch of SD70ACe/lc (Numbers 4300-4313), 4301-4313 are named after sidings on the BHP system. 4300 is used for spare parts and has never seen service. The second batch of locomotives (Numbers 4313-4323), have a newly designed isolated cab. An order for a third batch of 13 SD70ACe/lcs (Numbers 4334-4346) was placed with EMD in August 2007. But such was the demand for locomotive power in the Pilbara region, ten SD70ACe destined for BNSF were purchased before this third batch was constructed, becoming numbers 4324-4333. These ten ex-BNSF locos (ex-9166, 9167, 9184-9191) are in the BNSF Orange with white BHP Billiton lettering and are standard North American SD70ACe units. Some modifications have been made to bring them inline with the rest of the fleet. A fifth batch of SD70ACe/lc (Numbers 4347-4355) was recently delivered to BHP Billiton in July 2009, bringing the total of SD70ACe type locomotives to 55 + 1 for spare parts.
An Additional 18 units are expected to be delivered in the 2nd half of 2010.
SD70M-2
The SD70M-2 is a DC traction version of the SD70ACe, and the two models are nearly identical in every other respect. SD70M-2 models are rated at 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW) each. As of 2007, 284 examples of this model locomotive have been produced. Examples are owned by Norfolk Southern Railway, CIT Financial, Canadian National and eight units for the Florida East Coast Railway.
Like the SD70ACe, all SD70M-2s are equipped with the Airchime model K5LLA air horn and an electronic bell.